“Fontana East & West stunk then (when they opened in the early 1960s) and are the gifts that keep on stinking," says D_Standing, referring to the pair of towers near Aquatic Park that were held up as cautionary tales by opponents of waterfront towers in this year's Proposition B. less

“Fontana East & West stunk then (when they opened in the early 1960s) and are the gifts that keep on stinking," says D_Standing, referring to the pair of towers near Aquatic Park that were held up as ... more

Photo: Chronicle Archive, The Chronicle

“Fontana East & West stunk then (when they opened in the... Photo-6803013.92686 - SFGate

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Another oldie-but-not-goodie? Uncle Sam's high-rise building at 450 Golden Gate Ave. “I can't believe you didn't place the Phillip Burton Federal Building at the top of your list," wrote BTinSF. "Not only is it butt-ugly but it amplifies the wind for a block or more in every direction around it ... Even the skateboarders usually don't stay long.” Dachupi agrees: "It is an oppressive eyesore that can be seen from space. A big, ugly, grey chunk, just sitting there.” less

Another oldie-but-not-goodie? Uncle Sam's high-rise building at 450 Golden Gate Ave. “I can't believe you didn't place the Phillip Burton Federal Building at the top of your list," wrote BTinSF. "Not only is ... more

Bob Wilcenski nominates Vaillancourt Fountain, “that pile of concrete refuse at Justin Herman Plaza at the Embarcadero. Looks like left-over debris" from the demolition of the Embarcadero Freeway after the 1989 earthquake. less

Bob Wilcenski nominates Vaillancourt Fountain, “that pile of concrete refuse at Justin Herman Plaza at the Embarcadero. Looks like left-over debris" from the demolition of the Embarcadero Freeway after the ... more

Chimes in sfdoomed: “what is with that 'sculpture' that sits in Justin Herman Plaza? It looks like the ruins of a collapsed building or something." Gosh, public art (from 1971) gets no respect.

Chimes in sfdoomed: “what is with that 'sculpture' that sits in Justin Herman Plaza? It looks like the ruins of a collapsed building or something." Gosh, public art (from 1971) gets no respect.

Photo: John King, The Chronicle

Chimes in sfdoomed: “what is with that 'sculpture' that... Photo-6803020.92686 - SFGate

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Taboola Gallery Frame Item-85307.92686 - SFGate

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Nor does the most recent redo of Union Square, completed in 2002. Looks festive here, but killmenow complains that the city "took an urban park and made it ... a sea of cement with nothing green." (Editorial: the central granite plateau IS rather stark.) less

Nor does the most recent redo of Union Square, completed in 2002. Looks festive here, but killmenow complains that the city "took an urban park and made it ... a sea of cement with nothing green." (Editorial: ... more

Photo: Mike Kepka, The Chronicle

Nor does the most recent redo of Union Square, completed in 2002.... Photo-6803021.92686 - SFGate

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According to jhum, “2020 Ellis (at Divisadero Street) is probably the ugliest condo project to be completed in the last 5 years. A metal box ... surrounded by 1890's Victorians.” Echoes OhShush: “Those buildings are surely the work of the Selfish Fascist Motorist Torment Bully Cartel Authority.” Not sure what this means, but I sure don't disagree. less

According to jhum, “2020 Ellis (at Divisadero Street) is probably the ugliest condo project to be completed in the last 5 years. A metal box ... surrounded by 1890's Victorians.” Echoes OhShush: “Those ... more

“A big mistake, that John King loves, is the replacement for the once beautiful de Young Museum. The current building has to be one of the ugliest buildings in SF” -- sfpropertyowner

“A big mistake, that John King loves, is the replacement for the once beautiful de Young Museum. The current building has to be one of the ugliest buildings in SF” -- sfpropertyowner

Photo: John King

“A big mistake, that John King loves, is the replacement for the... Photo-6803023.92686 - SFGate

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But I'm not the only fan of the museum that another commenter, Robair, calls “the rusted oil tanker in Golden Gate Park." But wait! To redbearded, the copper clad de Young 2.0 from 2006 “a million times better than the old building.” less

But I'm not the only fan of the museum that another commenter, Robair, calls “the rusted oil tanker in Golden Gate Park." But wait! To redbearded, the copper clad de Young 2.0 from 2006 “a million times ... more

Photo: Sonja Och, The Chronicle

But I'm not the only fan of the museum that another commenter,... Photo-6803024.92686 - SFGate

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“Let's not forget the awful One Rincon," says mstrnsrvnt, referring to the 641-foot tower thisclose to the Bay Bridge...

“Let's not forget the awful One Rincon," says mstrnsrvnt, referring to the 641-foot tower thisclose to the Bay Bridge...

Here's a cult favorite, albeit a ghoulish cult. “My current vote for the ugliest building in San Francisco is the condo building at the top of ... Portola (Drive), at the entrance to Twin Peaks," says ehonda. "It manages to stand out in hideousness in an area already notable for architectural awful.” Flaneur extraordinaire David Prowler agrees: "that always hurts my eyes." less

Here's a cult favorite, albeit a ghoulish cult. “My current vote for the ugliest building in San Francisco is the condo building at the top of ... Portola (Drive), at the entrance to Twin Peaks," says ... more

The LGBT Center's new neighbor across the street rubs some people the wrong way, too. Consider lurvebroker's critique of Stanley Saitowitz' much-anticipated 8 Octavia: “looks like my cat's scratching post made of corrugated cardboard.” Me-ow! less

The LGBT Center's new neighbor across the street rubs some people the wrong way, too. Consider lurvebroker's critique of Stanley Saitowitz' much-anticipated 8 Octavia: “looks like my cat's scratching post ... more

Photo: John King, The Chronicle

The LGBT Center's new neighbor across the street rubs some... Photo-6803029.92686 - SFGate

While we're in the neighborhood: “No photo of UC-Berkeley College of Environmental Design's ghastly home?” asked rousta_bout. Done! And for the record, Wurster Hall looks pretty much the same now as when it opened in 1964, less

While we're in the neighborhood: “No photo of UC-Berkeley College of Environmental Design's ghastly home?” asked rousta_bout. Done! And for the record, Wurster Hall looks pretty much the same now as when ... more

Photo: Chronicle File

While we're in the neighborhood: “No photo of UC-Berkeley... Photo-6803032.92686 - SFGate

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The Munger Graduate Residences at Stanford University stirs Bruce Seidel to pained eloquence: "Clearly they have some redeeming qualities, but mostly they seem to be some kind of post-modernist fusion of every architectural style one could conceive of -- as though the parts were all designed independently (arches, columns, gables). Definitely worth an honorary mention." Nah, we'll make room on our Bottom 20. less

The Munger Graduate Residences at Stanford University stirs Bruce Seidel to pained eloquence: "Clearly they have some redeeming qualities, but mostly they seem to be some kind of post-modernist fusion of every ... more

Higher education took a beating here in S.F. as well: the UCSF campus at Parnassus Heights, south of Golden Gate Park, is the bane of colonnade: “visible for miles and ugly as sin.”

Higher education took a beating here in S.F. as well: the UCSF campus at Parnassus Heights, south of Golden Gate Park, is the bane of colonnade: “visible for miles and ugly as sin.”

Higher education took a beating here in S.F. as well: the UCSF... Photo-6803034.92686 - SFGate

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armandk nominates “the dismal blue glass of the InterContinental in SOMA with the huge wind tunnel it creates on Fifth Street” Seconded by AbeRuef: “Insanely oversized for its surroundings, and that gaudy aqua-marine hue makes it look like some sort of alien construct.” (Confession: I actually kind of like it. But I also work down the block. Maybe it's a Stockholm Syndrome thing.) less

armandk nominates “the dismal blue glass of the InterContinental in SOMA with the huge wind tunnel it creates on Fifth Street” Seconded by AbeRuef: “Insanely oversized for its surroundings, and that gaudy ... more

Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption, a 1971 landmark at Geary and Gough, has long "stirred" a reaction for its washing-machine-spinner-like shape. Ask LittleWillie: “St. Maytag's Cathedral has always, um, agitated me.” Which prompted a response from Gramos: “What? That building is gorgeous, in and out." less

Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption, a 1971 landmark at Geary and Gough, has long "stirred" a reaction for its washing-machine-spinner-like shape. Ask LittleWillie: “St. Maytag's Cathedral has always, ... more

Photo: Michael Short, Special To The Chronicle

Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption, a 1971 landmark at Geary... Photo-6803036.92686 - SFGate

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"How did that ever let THAT happen?" is lancey's seven-word critique of 999 Green, aka The Summit, the condo tower that Joseph Eichler built at the top of Russian Hill. Where, for the record, there's now a 40-foot height limit. less

"How did that ever let THAT happen?" is lancey's seven-word critique of 999 Green, aka The Summit, the condo tower that Joseph Eichler built at the top of Russian Hill. Where, for the record, there's now a ... more

Photo: John King

"How did that ever let THAT happen?" is lancey's... Photo-6803037.92686 - SFGate

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The dark granite tower on the right, 555 California St., was built as the Bank of America HQ and gets no love from Reluctor -- “Never should've been allowed. “Can't get much worse than B of A, which started it all (or ruined) in '69. Never should've been allowed. Same with Alcoa, and Embarcadero Center.” I sense a foe of Manhattanization... less

The dark granite tower on the right, 555 California St., was built as the Bank of America HQ and gets no love from Reluctor -- “Never should've been allowed. “Can't get much worse than B of A, which started ... more

“How could you NOT mention that most vile of SF buildings: the Federal building with the permanent rusty scaffolding?," asks malcolmketterin (editorial disclaimer: doesn't look rusty to me). Echoing this reaction was momology: “How could the hideous federal building on Seventh Street not be on the list?” less

“How could you NOT mention that most vile of SF buildings: the Federal building with the permanent rusty scaffolding?," asks malcolmketterin (editorial disclaimer: doesn't look rusty to me). Echoing this ... more

Photo: John King

“How could you NOT mention that most vile of SF buildings: the... Photo-6803039.92686 - SFGate

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But the much publicized work of Thom Mayne at Seventh and Mission streets DOES have defenders, such as colonnade: "I like it, it's got a lot going for it. I agree, it's distinctive enough you'll love or hate it -- but to me, that's a good thing." less

But the much publicized work of Thom Mayne at Seventh and Mission streets DOES have defenders, such as colonnade: "I like it, it's got a lot going for it. I agree, it's distinctive enough you'll love or hate it ... more

Photo: John King

But the much publicized work of Thom Mayne at Seventh and Mission... Photo-6803040.92686 - SFGate

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And the dubious winner, the nadir of the negatives? That sentimental un-favorite that replaced a beloved grand moviehouse at Market and Polk streets that was demolished in 1963. “Fox Plaza, anyone?,” asked Mike517 in my list's comments section. Quick chime-in from therichmond “I was thinking the same thing!” Later, AlanHK, “Take Fox Plaza, please!” Finally, johnboysfo: “How did that monstrosity not make it on this list?” Dear readers, I figured that you would catch the Fox on your own. less

And the dubious winner, the nadir of the negatives? That sentimental un-favorite that replaced a beloved grand moviehouse at Market and Polk streets that was demolished in 1963. “Fox Plaza, anyone?,” asked ... more

Photo: Peter Hartlaub, The Chronicle

And the dubious winner, the nadir of the negatives? That... Photo-6803041.92686 - SFGate